How to craft a great CV: Expert tips from an experienced recruiter

In the competitive landscape of job hunting, a well-crafted CV helps you to stand out from the crowd. At KDR we understand the significance of presenting yourself effectively to potential employers. Hally Barlow, speaks to data professionals all day long, looking at CV’s and submitting them to our clients’ roles. In this comprehensive guide, she shares expert insights and tips to help you create a CV that not only impresses but also outranks other candidates in the eyes of hiring managers.

Crafting a Winning CV

1. Start with a Strong Opening

Your CV's first impression matters. Many data job seekers make the mistake of being too technical immediately. Begin with a compelling summary that highlights your key strengths, experiences and career objectives. This snapshot should encapsulate your professional identity and grab the reader's attention. Remember it’s important to get across your personality as well as your technical expertise so a well written paragraph which conveys a little extra about what you are looking for (and why) and what you have to offer is a good hook.

2. Tailor Your CV for Each Job

This cannot be stressed enough. Often candidates make the mistake of creating one CV, forgetting that the main skill set required for the job might be the one that is buried deep within your experience one or two jobs back. Bring the key skills required for each role you are going for front and centre so that the hiring managers can see your relevancy straight away. One size does not fit all when it comes to CVs. This tailored approach demonstrates your genuine interest and suitability for the role.

3. Showcase Your Achievements

Rather than listing job responsibilities, emphasise your accomplishments. Use quantifiable data and metrics to illustrate your impact on previous employers. This paints a vivid picture of your contributions and distinguishes you from other applicants. So, for example if you created data sets for a project, also list the business outcomes to demonstrate the impact of those data sets. Saying that you increased customer engagement by 7% is more powerful than saying you increased customer engagement.

4. Highlight Relevant Skills

Identify key skills that are pertinent to the job you're applying for. Whether it's technical expertise, leadership qualities, or soft skills, ensure they feature prominently in your CV. This helps employers or recruiters quickly assess your suitability.

5. Education and Qualifications

Clearly outline your educational background, certifications and qualifications. Mention any relevant courses or training programs that enhance your candidacy. Remember, the relevance of your education may vary depending on the role. Once you have reached a certain level, you may want to minimise earlier qualifications (like GCSE’s or A’ levels for example) and just state the number achieved rather than listing each subject.

CV Essentials

6. Organise with Clarity

Present your CV in a clean and structured format. Use headings and bullet points to break down information into easily digestible sections. This improves readability and helps recruiters find the information they seek quickly.

7. Keep it Concise

While it's essential to provide comprehensive information, avoid unnecessary words. Let each word fight for their place on the page – if a sentence reads well without the word, take it out.

8. Proofread Thoroughly

So many errors go unchecked! Errors in spelling and grammar can undermine your professionalism. Proofread your CV meticulously to eliminate any mistakes. Consider seeking a second opinion from a trusted colleague or friend. As recruiters we will catch these mistakes but it helps if you really check beforehand.
 

10. Maintain an Online Presence

If you haven’t already, create an online professional profile, using platforms such as LinkedIn. An online presence reinforces your credibility and provides recruiters with additional information about you. LinkedIn provide an “open to work” feature if find yourself between contracts and this is a god way to get yourself noticed by recruiters or in house talent acquisition teams. When you post on these platforms, it is advisable to conduct yourself in a way that you would be happy for an employer to see. Although it is less formal than it was originally, it is still primarily a business networking platform.

In today's highly competitive job market, your CV is your ambassador. Craft it with care and precision to make a lasting impression on potential employers. By following these expert tips, you can create a CV that not only stands out but also ranks high in search results, increasing your chances of landing your dream job.

Key Takeaways:

Start your CV with a strong opening, tailoring it for each job application and quantify achievements rather than listing outcomes.

The structure of your CV should be clear, concise and error-free.

A well-crafted CV increases your chances of landing your desired job and impressing potential employers.

For an informal chat around what the data, analytics or technology job market looks like or how we can help you in your new job search. Contact us today.